Prosumer based decentralized charging infrastructure in residential distribution network for power management

In recent times, with the rapid increase in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), deployment of well-organized and effective charging infrastructure is extremely desirable. The load on the residential distribution network due to EVs is increasing very rapidly. The penetration of EV load at distribution networks is very difficult to analyze due to its non-linear nature. The unpredicted and uncoordinated EV load on the electric charging station (ECS) create excess power demand, which is very challenging to supply from the grid during peak load condition. The impact of such unpredicted excess power demand has effects on power flow control strategies and system parameters. This paper discusses the ECS charging scheme for urban areas supported by prosumers to manage excess power demand of EV charging. The charging scheme suggested some architectural changes in the distribution network by installing an Energy Control and Monitoring Unit (ECMU) at the Consumer/Prosumer terminal and Centralized Energy Control and Monitoring Unit (CECMU) at the electric charging station. The ECMU and CECMU control the power flow in the distribution network and maintain the total load on the distribution network below the sanction limit. So, the distribution network acts as a constant load on the power grid. The charging scheme helps in increasing the EV adoption rate because of effective charging infrastructure in urban areas and promotes installation of renewable energy systems like solar photovoltaic at prosumer/consumer end to earn financial benefits. The charging scheme is financially benefited for both charging stations and prosumers. The proposed charging scheme is also simulated using HOMER Pro software.